An international humanitarian vessel attempting to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza was intercepted and seized by Israeli naval forces overnight, with all 12 individuals on board detained and the ship redirected to the Israeli port of Ashdod, according to official and activist sources.

The vessel, named Madleen, had set sail under the British flag as part of an initiative by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), aiming to deliver a symbolic consignment of humanitarian aid—including rice and infant formula—to the besieged Gaza Strip, where over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since October 2023.

The Israeli military boarded the yacht in international waters before it could reach Gaza’s shores. Passengers were taken into custody, and the yacht was towed to Ashdod, approximately 27 kilometers north of Gaza.

The activists included citizens from Brazil, France, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Spain, as well as a journalist from Al Jazeera Mubasher.

Notably, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan were among those detained, alongside other prominent human rights defenders and civil society representatives.

The FFC condemned the interception as an illegal act of aggression against civilians. The group posted a series of pre-recorded messages on Telegram, in which activists stated they were “intercepted and kidnapped” by Israeli forces. A photo published by the coalition showed individuals in life jackets with their hands raised.

"We will not be intimidated. The world is watching," FFC press officer Hay Sha Wiya said. "The Madleen is a civilian vessel, unarmed and sailing in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders from across the globe... Israel has no right to obstruct our effort to reach Gaza."

The activists argue that the blockade imposed on Gaza amounts to collective punishment and violates international law. The coalition emphasized that its mission was peaceful and designed to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This incident comes against the backdrop of mounting international criticism over the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk recently warned that Palestinians in Gaza are facing the cruellest of choices: die from starvation or risk being shot while searching for food.

Israel has only recently allowed limited aid to enter Gaza following a three-month total blockade. Much of the aid distribution is now being channeled through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a mechanism supported by Israel and the United States but criticized by aid organizations for its lack of neutrality and effectiveness.

This latest naval confrontation evokes memories of the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, in which 10 Turkish activists were killed by Israeli commandos during a similar Gaza aid mission.

The fate of the 12 detainees remains unclear as international pressure mounts on Israel to release them and allow for the safe passage of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.